Sheet manipulator



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kiiQ/GGQQ 000000000000 ATTORNEY May 31, 1932. E. J. BRASSEUR SHEET MANIPULATOR Filed Nov. 14, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY May 31, 1932.

E. J. BRASSEUR SHEET MANIPULATOR Filed Nov. 14,

I5 Shets-Sheet 5 INV ATTOR Patented May 31, 1932 uNrnao sr-A'ras" PATENT OFFICE ERNEST J. BRASSEUR, OF GEIGAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO A B. DICK COMPANY OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS f SHEET mamrnmron Application filed November 14, 1928. Serial No. 319,24.

. accurate parallelism.

The device forming the subject matter of this invention is especially designed for ready attachment to and detachment from" the ordinary typewriter to move the backing sheet on which a stencil paperis mounted evenly and by stages through the typewriter as the typewritten lines are placed thereon.

i In' the use of'writing machines such as the ordinary typewriter, for instance, diificulty is constantly encountered in obtaining written lines which are always in complete parallelism and properly and accurately spaced. There is very apt to be some slippage between the sheet and the feed roller of the 'typewriter to skew the-sheet to one side as it progresses through the machine. Again, the sheet may .be slightly. misadjusted in relation to the type. following erasures on the sheet; .or from other. causes. Theseinaccuracies become more evident when ruled paperjls used, as

ports, etc.. The result is'a slov'enly and un-v sightly piece of work. I i

This-problem is much enhanced. whenfa; stencil sheet is being typed and preparedito' be laterplaced on a stencil duplicating Ina-- chine. All errors andinaccuracies-occurring on the stencil sheet such as lack of parallelismand proper spacing bf the written lines will;

be reproduced on each mimeographed copy:

The principal object of 'my'invention is-to provide meansforadvancing asheetthrough a writing machine by stages and. in such a" mannerthat the written lines appearing on 4 the sheet will be prop erly"and accurately spaced and will bein accurate parallelism. Another objectof my invention is to provide a sheet moving-device adapted to bereadily and'easily attached to an'ddetachedf from typ'ewriters'in common use, operative to draw the sheet evenly and accurately through the machine, and one which simple and easy to operate, positive in its operation,

of sturdy and durable construction, and inexpensive to produce.

'A well knownindex system employs very narrow separate strips of cardboard on which the indicia' are printed. In certain systems it has been customary to use strips of about one-sixth of an inch in width by about five inches in length. Thus it is at once apparent that when these strips are printed by means of astencil there must be precise regis tration and parallelism of each line on the stencil with each strip or else all of the printing will not be imprinted on the respective strips. In one system the blank from which these strips are obtained comprises a card which has been partially cutthrough in par allel lines spaced apart the width of each strip. Usually the card is as wide as the strips are'to be, the length d how'many strips are desired. More specifically-anbbjeet of my invention is to provide an attachment for typewriters whereby a stencil may 'be prepared, in which the lines impressed'therein will correspond epending upon exactly in parallelism and spacing with the strip areas in ac'ard or blank of the 'type re- 'ferred to, so that when the stencll is used for is often necessary in preparing charts, re-

printing such cards, each strip thereofwill receive all of the intended imprint properly centered andregistered thereon. After the card or blank has ,been printed the. strips thereof are tornapa-rt at the weakened lines which separate the strips, and the strips are used as desired. Accordingly the importance. of providing for precise registration: of the printingon each card is apparent. A furthei' obj ectof this invention .is-to provide a novel stencil unit whereby the attainment of accuracy'and precision in the placement of, impressions on the sheet and accurate and precise registration of stencil ,im-

1 In'accordance with this invention'I provide stenciling niaterial comprising a stencil sheet secured along one,edge'to a backing sheet which extends beyond the stencil sheet along both sides. Along each projecting side of the backing sheet is a row of holes uniformly spaced apart.

Heretofore, it has been customaryto clamp the stencil sheet between the platen roll and pressure rolls and to advance the sheet by rotating the platen, thus relying wholly on the frictional engagement of the material with these rolls to maintain the materialin alignment and to obtain the spacing between lines. As aforesaid, it has been found that when accurate and precise alignment and spacing are desired such frictional agency is not reliable for the purpose. Accordingly, I

provide means for maintaining alignment and V spacing. which does not depend on a frictional engagement, but instead provide means for spacing. Such means may comprise pins which engage in corresponding holes along each side of the backing sheet, means being provided for reciprocating the pins in unison and to the same degree on both sides of the backing to advance both sides of the stenciling material exactly'the same distance, the

pins being so mounted that they can be withdrawn from one set of holes and engaged with succeeding holes in the rows to advance the material. Preferably the pressure rollers of the typewriter are left open so that in case the operator should rotate the platen, no strain will be put on the stenciling material. Otherwise, the typewriting of, the stencil and the movement of the carriage are accomplished in the usual manner. The device is so constructed that it may be attached. to. and dismounted from ,a typewriter of a usual make, readily and easily.

In order thata clearer understanding th1s invention maybe had,- attention is here-.'

by directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part .of this application and illustrating certain possible embodiments of this invention. v q 1 Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front face view of my sheet manipulator attachment; 7 j Fig. 2 illustratesa'sh'eet of material and more particularly a stencil sheet mounted on a backing sheet, the backing sheet having a *row o f'holes along each'side edge thereof with which the reciprocating arms of my sheet manipulator are adapted to engage to advance the sheet by stages over the platen of the typewriter;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view of my combined stencil sheet and baking tai'n parts of a typewriter with which it oooperates,- takenon' line 44 ofFig l and illustrates more particularly the position of the parts at the completion of a sheet advancing operation;

Fig. 4b is aview similar to Fig. 4a and illustrates the position of the parts at an-- other stage of operation, particularly show ing one of the sheet engaging arms out of engagement withthe' sheet being fed and about to be moved downwardly to again engage the sheet.

Fig. 40 is a view similar to Figs. 4a and 4?) and illustrates the position of the parts at still another stage of operation, particularly showing one. of the sheet engaging arms in engagement with the sheet being fed and about to advance the same;

Fig. 5 is another transverse cross sectional view of my sheet manipulator attachment in conjunction with certain typewriter parts, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and shows the opposite side .of certain of the operative elements shown in Figs. 4a, 46 and 40;

Fig. 6 is still another transverse cross sectional View of my sheet manipulator attachment in association with certain typewriter part-s, taken on line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line 7 -7 of Fig. 1 and shows particularly the spring pressed levers for manually operating my sheet manipulator attachment; g

' Fig. 8 is another transverse cross sectional 'view of my sheet manipulator attached to typewriter structure, taken on lines 88 of Figs. 1 and 9 respectively and illustrates one way of attaching the same to the typewriter; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 99 of *Fig. 8 further showing the manner in whichmy sheet manipulator is attached to the typewriter structure Similar reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the specification and drawings. I I x i I'have shown mysheet manipulator associated with certain structural parts of a Royal typewriter but it is understood that my manipulator can be applied to any make of typewriter or writing machine within the purview. of this invention. Referring more particularly to Fig. 6, I have shown a portion ofthe carriage frame 1 of the typewriter machine supportedfor horizontal sliding movement on the stationary frame 2. The carriage frame includes a'pair of endmembers 4, one at each end thereof and reenforcing bars 5 and ,6. extending between the end 4 members to give the necessary stiifnessto the carriage .frame. The platen roll 3 of the typewriter is rotatablysupported in the end frames 4. Inclined plate 7 supports the sheet 8 being fed under the platen roll of the machine. Plate 7 is supported at each end thereof a bracket Sfsuitably secured to the carriage frame. A horizontal frame member 10, secured to the end frames 4-, carries a pair of curved guide arms 11 which guide the sheet around the platen roll. Pressure rollers 12 and 13 are provided to retain the sheet against the platen roll. Type arms 14 are manipulated by means of a keyboard in a well known manner.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 6 and 8, my construction maybe said to comprise the sheet manipulator unit and means for detachably supporting this main unitin operative position on a typewriter.

For the supporting means I provide a pair of arch members 22 having flat supporting surfaces at their tops. To one end of each arch member is .secured a clamping plate 23 and to the other end of each arch member is secured a clamping plate 24. These arch members are adapted to be secured to the typewriter carriage just inside of the end frames 4. One end of each arch member and its cooperating clamping plate 23 are adapted to be engaged against opposite sides of the reenforcing bar 6 of the machine, adjacent its ends, and may be tightly clamped therea ainst by means of screws 25. The clamping plates 24, which are secured to the other legs of the arch members, have end flanges 26 which are adapted to engage under the frame bar 10 while the ends of the arch members engage against the opposite side of member 10. These clamps grip the member 10. Screws 27 penetrating the clamp plates 24 and engaging a shoulder 10' of the frame member, confine the ends of the arch members against downward movement and tighten the engagement.

It will be apparent that-these arch members being located just inside of the end frames 40f the carriage do not interfere in any way with the typewriter parts, and therefore these arch members may be allowed to remain permanently on the typewriter.

The main portion of the sheet manipulator is adapted to be mounted quickly and easily on these arch supports, and to be as readily and easily removed. The main manipulator unit has end brackets 28 which have flanges 28' adapted to seat on the flat top'portions of the arch supports, the flanges having perforations adapted to receive studs 22' carried on the top of the arch members, and having perforations adapted to register with Ehreaded screw apertures in the arch memers.

To further steady and support the manipulator unit, recessed flanges 31 are turned in from the brackets 28, these brackets being adapted to engage in grooves of studs 32 secured to the arch members 22.

My manipulator'may be attached to a typewriter by merely engaging the brackets 28 with the studs 22 and 32 of the arch members, and engaging screws in the screw a ertures. The manipulator may be remove by merely removing these screws and lifting the manipulator from the arch supports.

v Each bracket 28 has an inclined flange 30 to from the platen roller of the typewriter to which this plate 20 is tangentially disposed so as to receive the sheet as it leaves the platen roller.

A plurality of rollers 34 journaled on a rod 35 guide the sheet from the platen roller to the guide plate 20. Rod 35 is hung on a pair of arms 36 which are secured to a shaft 37 journalled in lugs .38 projecting upwardly from the guide plate. Coil springs 39, one secured to each lug 38, exert a downward pressure on its corresponding arm 36, holding the rollers 34 against the platen roller with resilient pressure.

The lower edge of the guide plate 20 is preferably given an. arcuate form, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. To support the center portion of the-sheet, a tab 40 is secured to the 7 guide plate 20. The sheet is confined between the guide lugs turned up from plate 20.

My sheet advancing mechanism is designed to advance the sheet over the platen roller by stages of predetermined lengths,' and to hold the sheet in fixed position on the platen roller during the typingvoperation, so that the respective typgwriter lines are in complete and accurate parallelism and spaced exactly as v desired. My preferred form of advancing.

mechanismcomprises generally a pair of reciprocating arms 42, each having a pin 43 se cured to the end thereof. Each pin is adapted to be inserted in corresponding holes or' apertures along each side edge of the sheet. ,Reciprocation of the arms 42 in one direction pulls or advances the sheet over the platen roll a predetermined amount herein called a stage. Pins 43 are then lifted from their respective holes in the sheet and the arms reciprocated in the other direction to place the pins in engagement with another set of holes. The sheet is then advanced through another stage as above described.

The mechanism for performing these operations will now be described. A shaft 44, extending horizontally of the machine, as shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 40, is journalled in a pair of lugs 45 secured to the under side of theguide plate 20. A pair of arms46, one end of each being fixed to shaft 44, extend upwardly through suitable apertures in the guide'plate. A rod 47 is journalled in the upper ends of these arms 46. One end of each of the reciprocating or sheet engaging arms 42, as shown in Fig. 1, are secured to gagement witht e paper.

. upward pull thereon and normally retains the mally retain the in in the end thereof in en- A manually operated thumb lever 50extending through a suitable aperture in the guide plate, is secured to one end of shaft 44. A coil spring 51 one end of which is secured to a stud 52 fixed to the guide plate, and its other end secured to one of the arms 46, exertsan pin ends of the sheet engaging arms 42 into andout of engagement with the sheet and further for reciprocating these arms to alternatelv advance the sheet and carry the pin ends of the arms into engagement [with another set of holes in the sheet.

' V A lock device is provided to prevent downward movement of the sheet engaging arms except when their pin ends are raised out of engagement with the holes in t e'sheet. As shown more clearly in Figs. 4a and 5, a limb 54 is secured to and projects fr one of the arms 46. Limb 54 has a pin 55 projecting laterally therefrom.

A locking bar 56 pivoted at one end to one; of the guide lugs 41 upturned from'the guide plate, is provided with a deformed end adapted to abut against the pin 55. The deformed end of the locking bar is normally held in'pin abutting position by a coil spring 57 which is secured to guide lug 41 and operates to exert a downward pressure on the locking bar. The deformed end of the lockin bar is retained in operative relationship wit the pin by finger portion 58. An ear portion 59 formed integrally with the locking bar, extends over the sheet engaging arms 42. Manipulation of finger lever 53 rocksarm 42 about the axis of rod 47 so as to raise the sheet engaging pin, and raises the locking lever 56 (against the action of coil spring 57) b engagement of arm 42 with ear 59 out 0 locking engagement with the pin 55, thus permitting downward movement of the thumb lever 53 and the sheet en aging arms.

My sheet manipulator attac ment is of special value for example in the preparation of mimeographed copies of reports, index files or cards, Where it is of prime importance to have the mi-meographedlines in accurate parallelism and properly spaced. For this purpose a stencil sheet of special construction isprovided, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. sheetof stencil paper 60 of the apart as the sheet engaging pins 43 of the sheet manipulator. It is essential that the corresponding holes in the respective rows be spaced the same distance apart to insure complete parallelism of the lines. The distance between successive holes in the respective rows should be the same as the desired line spacing or a fraction thereof, so that by advancing the backing sheet by means of the sheet engaging arms a distance equal to the distance between one or more successive holes, the desired line spacing may be attained. If different line effects and a variety of spacings are desired, it is only necessary to space the holes in the backing sheet accordingly. The freecorners of the stencil paper are each provided with a holev64 for a urpose hereafter to be described. The backing sheet 62 has a tear line 65 therein, so that the left hand portion of the backing sheet as shown in Fig. 2 can be torn 01f from the right hand portion when the typing work on the stencil paper has been completed.

The entire 'duplicatin operation may be described as follows. he stencil paper, as shown in Fig. 3 is preferably prepared especially for the use in hand, the holes 63 bein spaced-so as to correspond with the desired line spacing of the printer matter. My sheet manipulator is applied to the typewriter in the manner heretof :re described. The stenciling materiaLincluding the stencil sheet 60 and backing 62 secured together, is threaded through the typewriter by sliding the paper down over plate 7 and around the platen roll 3. The paper is advanced forward on to portion 21 of the guide plate 20. The sheet engaging arms 42 are then raised by manipulatingfin er lever 53, and the paper again advance to be inserted in the proper corresponding holes along each side edge of the sheet.

When the sheet advancing mechanism is in at-rest position, the pins 43' abut the upperends of their respective slots 48, as shown in Fig. 4a, and they are so held by the action of coil spring 51. In order to advance the sheet through one stage finger lever 53 is first sufficiently to permit pins 43 on the end of the sheet engaging arms manipulated, raising the pin ends of the sheet engaging arms 42 against the action of coil springs 49, as shown in Fig. 4?). Any raising the arms 42 also raises the deformed end of lockingbar 56. The locking bar can thus be raised out of engagement with pin 55, and the thumb lever 50 manipulated to swing the sheet engaging arms downwardly against the action of coil spring 51.

Sheet engaging pins 43 can thus be positioned over the next III set of holes in theste ncil paper backing.

\ Thumb lever 53 1s tnen'released permitting P p 43 move upper ends thereof. The stencil paper has at any point of the stencil sheet desired,

the pins to engage corresponding holes in the backing sheet, as shown in Fig. 40.

When finger lever 50" is released, coil spring51 acts to pull'thesheet advancing mechanism upward, dragging the stencil with it. During this operation pins from the lower ends of slots, 48 to the now been advanced through one complete stage. The typing operation can be begufi f'when a line of writing hasbeen completed,

the stencil paper can be advanced by my sheet manipulator in the manner above described. The lines of writing 81, 82 and 83' appearing on the stencilsheet as shown in Fig. 2now appear in. accurate parallelism and spaced exactly as desired.

The stencil paper is now removed from the typewriter and sheet manipulator attachment. The backing sheet is now torn along its weakened line 65 and the right hand portion of the sheet shown in Fig. 2 discarded. The holes 63 in the left hand portion of the sheet are designed to secure the sheet upon Q the drum of a duplicating machine, not

shown;

I above construction,

, As many changes could be inade in the and manyhapparently different embodimentsof this inventilon could be made without departing from he scope thereof,-itis intended that all matter con- -ment'with both sides of a sheet positioned in the typewriter for printing, and movable on the frame along the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter to advance both sides of an engaged sheet uniformly.

2. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a

- frame adapte d to be secured to the typewriter, sheet-engaging members, and means supporting said members on the frame for movement into and out of engagement with both sides of asheet positioned in the type-.

writer for printing, and for reciprocation writer, a member having sheetengagingalong the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter, and means for moving said members into and out of engagement with such sheet and for reciprocating said members to advance a sheet through the type- *writer and maintaining positive alignment thereof. p

3. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a

frame adapted to be secured to the writer, .amember having sheet engaging means,-s aid member being movable on the frame into and out of position engaging a sheetin the typewriter, and bodily translatable to advance an engaged sheet through the typewriter.

4. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a

A frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, a'sheet advancing and aligning device carried on the frame and having sheet engaging means, said device being mounted on the frame for reciprocation along the path of travel of a sheet, through the typewriter, .and adjustable on the frame into and out of engagement with both sides of asheet positioned in the typewriter for printing, whereby when said device is engaged with the sheet and moved in the direction of the travel of the sheet through the typewriter, both sides of the sheet are positively advanced a like amount through the typewriter and both.

sides of the sheet are held fast in the advanced position until disengaged by said device. 5. A typewriter attachment of the character described, for advancing through and aligning in the typewriter sheets having similar perforations along both sides, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, and means, includin}; members movable on the frame into engagement with selected corresponding perforations on both sides of the sheet and movable on the' frame in the direction of the path J of travel of the sheet through the typewriter,

for advancing bothesides of the engaged sheet a like amount through the typewriter and maintaining both sides of the sheet in align ment while engaged by, said members.

6. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to'the typewriter, a member having sheet engaging means and movably mountedon said frame for adjustment into and out of; engagement with a sheet. positioned in the "typewriter, and for reciprocation along the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter, and manually operable means for controlling the adjustment and reciprocation of said .member.

7. A typewriter attachment of the char; acter described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the type- ,means and movably mounted on said frame for adjustment into and out of engagement with a sheet positioned in the typewriter, and for reciprocation along the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter, manually operable means for controlling the ad- 'justment and reciprocation of said member, and means associated with said member and said manually operable means for preventing initial reciprocal movement of said member in one direction, while said member is engaged with the sheet;

8. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, a member having sheet engaging means and movably mounted on said frame for adjustment into and out of engagement with a sheet positioned in the typewriter, and for reciprocation along the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter, manually operable means for controlling the adjustment and reciprocation of said member, means associated with said member and said manually operable means for preventing initial reciprocal movement of said member in one direction, while said member is engaged with the sheet, and means whereby adjustment of said member out of engagement with said sheet releases said member for movement in said direction.

9. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame for reciprocation along the path of travel of a sheet through the typewriter, a sheetengaging member pivotally mounted on said arm for reciprocation into and out of engagement therewith, and means associated with said arm and member whereby. the movement of said member on said arm and the movement of said arm on the frame may be controlled manually.

10. A typewriter attachment of.:the character described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame for reciprocation along the path of travel of a sheet through the typewriter, a sheet-engaging member pivotall mounted on said arm for movement towar the sheet to engage the sheet, and for movement away from the sheet to disengage the sheet, sa1d member being engageable with the sheet when the arm is in rearward position, said member and the sheet engaged thereby being advance upon forward movement of said arm.

11. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame for reciprocation along the path of travel of a sheet through the typewriter, a sheet-en gaging member pivotall mounted on said arm for movement towar the sheet to engage the sheet and for movement away from the sheet to disengage the sheet, said member being engageable with the sheet when the arm is in rearward position, said member and the sheet engaged thereby being advanced upon forward movement of said arm, means preventing rearward movement of said arm from .forward position while said member in sheet-engaging position, and means for disengaging said member from the sheet when said arm is in forward position.

12. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a

frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, an arm pivotally mounted on the frame for reciprocation along the path of travel of a sheet through the typewriter, a sheet-engaging member pivotally mounted on said arm for movement toward the sheet to engage the sheet,and for movement away from the sheet to disengage the sheet, said member being engageable with the sheet when the arm is in rearward position and disengageable from the sheet when the arm is in forward position, a detent normally engaging said arm when in forward position, preventing rearward movement thereof, and means, including said sheet-engaging member, whereby movement of said member out of engagement with the sheet moves said detent to release said armfor rearward movement from its forward position.

13. A typewriter attachment of the character described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on the frame at each side of a sheet positioned in the typewriter and reciprocable along the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter, a member pivotally mounted on each arm for movement into engagement with the adjacent side of the sheet and for movement 1 out of engagement therewith, and means as: sociated with said arms and members and under manual control whereby both said members may be moved into engagement simultaneously with opposite sides of the sheet when said arms are in rearward position, and whereby both arms are simultaneously moved forward a like amount to advance both sides of the engaged sheet in like amount through the typewriter.

14:. A typewriter attachment of the char acter described, including, in combination, a frame adapted to be secured to the typewriter, a pair of arms pivotally mounted on the frame at each side of a sheet positioned in the typewriter and reciprocable along the path '0 travel of the sheet through the typewriter, a member pivotally mounted on each arm for movement into engagement with the adjacent side of the sheet and for movement out of engagement therewith, means associated wit said arms and members and under manual control whereby both said members may be moved into engagement simultaneously with opposite sides of the sheet when said arms are in rearward position, and whereby both arms are simultaneously moved forward a like amount to advance both sides of the engaged sheet in like amount through the typewriter, and means associated with said arms and sheet engaging members norto be imprinted having a series of corresponding perforations along each side, members mounted on the typewriter, one at each side of the sheet and each having a pin fitting the sheetperforations, and mechanism associated withsaid members whereby said pinsmay be engaged simultaneously in selected corresponding perforations on both sides of the sheet and then moved forwardly along the path of travel of the sheet through the typewriter to advance both sides of the sheet alike amount, and maintaining corresponding perforations thereof.

This specification signed this 9th .day of November, 1928.

ERNEHST JQ BRASSEUR.

V the sheet in alignment while said pins are engaged in the 

